[crystalology]

I relocated from Jacksonville to Baton Rouge, LA last June for a work promotion and I have found that I am missing Florida more than I thought I would. I manage a large 4 state area (Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas) of field based trainers and I think I can negotiate with my employer to allow me to move as east as Pensacola.

Between the LA state taxes, increased sales tax, increased car insurance, increased rent, etc my raise for my promotion was non-existent.

I have vacationed in Pensacola before, but have never spent more than a few days at a time there and before I make a decision to move yet again, I want to make sure it is what I want.

Things that are important to me: being by the beach, continuing education, volunteer opportunities, playing pool, mountain biking, theater, good book stores, and shopping opportunities. For the most part I have researched Pensacola and while it is smaller than I would prefer I think everything else meets my guidelines.

Things that I cannot get off the internet are the following questions:

1) What is the culture like in Pensacola? What are the people there like?
2) How has the current economic situation affected the Pensacola economy?
3) What do you feel Pensacola is missing?
4) How hurricane affected is the area?
5) What do you feel is the best thing about living in Pensacola?

Also - I heard that Gulf Breeze may be a better place to live then Pensacola. Any thoughts on that?

Thanks!

[beachmouse]

1) What is the culture like in Pensacola? What are the people there like?

Two parts Old South to one part military base. In terms of feel, something of a smaller version of Jacksonville.

2) How has the current economic situation affected the Pensacola economy?

It was never a super boom town like other parts of the state. There's been a slowdown like there has been nationwide, but it hasn't seemed as severe as in some other places.

3) What do you feel Pensacola is missing?

No one specific thing. It's pretty much what you'd expect for a small-middle metro area of it's size. (Though I'd like to see minor league hockey back in there)

4) How hurricane affected is the area?

Ivan hit the area pretty badly. If you know where to look and what it looked like pre-storm, you can see where the area is still trying to recover from it, though much progress has been made.

5) What do you feel is the best thing about living in Pensacola?

There's a real sense of history in the area.

[crystalology]

Thank you for the information.

A couple of other questions...I have lived all over as an adult - Washington, Oregon, Michigan, Florida, Louisiana, and have spent time managing multiple areas as well in the South - Southern & Central Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, etc. and I have become used to the Southern mentality that North Florida has. It really isn't Florida at all, but South GA/AL etc. I GET that. When I lived in Nassau County, Florida (North of Jacksonville - 10 min from GA border) it was clear and being a northern girl it took me time to adjust, but I did.

I have been researching older posts regarding Pensacola and most of them are a couple of years old so I thought I would ask the question again to possibly get different insight, so here goes:

The posts basically say Pensacola has 3 very distinctive groups of people - military, overtly religious, and poor, poor Old South. I don't know if I would fit it with any of those groups of people. There have to be professional, educated, active, 30 somethings as well, correct? I'm used to moving for my job and making new friends, but I also want to have some things in common with people. I am an avid mountain biker and pool player. I love to go to museums and travel and spend my free time volunteering. I enjoy reading and dining out. I am not snobby and can make casual friends anywhere but I want to find a place where I can make lasting friendships as well with people I share interests with. I haven't found that in Baton Rouge.

Do you find it easy to meet people in Pensacola and make friends? What are the people really like - they can't be stereotypical as the other posts make it seem, right?

Also - Gulf Breeze and Pensacola - does it really matter which one you live in when it comes to hurricanes? Are they equally affected or is it much worse in Gulf Breeze?

[lokahi]

There are great groups of ppl. in P'cola -I think that you would find alot of different ppl. in P'cola. From your posts, I would look at historic P'cola, such as downtown or North Hill and East Hill to live in, along with P'cola Beach. Gulf Breeze is great, but it's more for families, etc. If you're single, I would look at historic P'cola and the beach, b/c you'll meet alot of ppl. in those areas.

Here are a few great websites to give you a different feel of P'cola:

Local, Organic Co-op: Ever'man Natural Foods - A Website For Health Conscious, Enviromentally Friendly People
East Hill / North Hill Neighborhoods: Welcome to Localism
Wisteria Tavern (one of my fav bars in P'cola!) Wisteria Tavern
Independent News Weekly in P'cola: Pensacola Independent News
P'cola Beach Island Times Newspaper: Island Times - We're IT on Pensacola Beach

Best of luck

[lokahi]

Also, check out the Sandshaker Bar at P'cola Beach: Sandshaker Lounge Pensacola Beach Florida
and The Azalea Lounge in P'cola proper for pool - both great places to hang out

[lokahi]

Also, I forgot about the PORC group - it's the P'cola Off Road Cyclists group: P.O.R.C. - PENSACOLA OFF-ROAD CYCLISTS - Mountain Bike Club - Local - Florida & Alabama - Trail, Group Ride, & Race Information Videos Pictures and more!!

[crystalology]

Thank you! This was great information and very helpful. I actually spent the last week in Pensacola looking at it more from a "resident" view than a tourist one. Your insight was great and the links were as well!